AUSTIN — Rep. Jason Isaac (R-Dripping Springs) is alerting citizens of Hays and Blanco counties of a public hearing on House Bill 4122 at the Capitol Wednesday.

“HB 4122 would undo the protections put in place by the Save Our Wells bill we fought for in 2015,” said Rep. Isaac. “I want to make sure everyone who depends on wells for their livelihood is aware of this deeply concerning legislation.”

HB 4122 would allow a landowner with over 1,000 acres in two or more groundwater conservation districts to choose the groundwater conservation district they prefer to be in. This effectively allows the landowner to select whichever district has more lenient pumping requirements — eliminating any protections for surrounding landowners’ rights to their groundwater.

This is particularly concerning because much of Hays County and all of Blanco County are in a priority groundwater management area, which, according to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, is “experiencing, or expected to experience, critical groundwater problems.” Worse, the bill could create a vehicle for one landowner to create their own district with complete disregard for surrounding wells.

The House Committee on Natural Resources will hold a public hearing to discuss the bill on Wednesday, April 5, at 10:30 a.m. or upon adjournment in room E2.010.

“House District 45 sent a strong message last session that we will fight for our rights and our water,” Rep. Isaac continued. “Unfortunately, the Hays County water wars are continuing. We’re going to have to fight for those rights one more time.”

Rep. Isaac is a fourth-generation native Texan who has served House District 45 since 2011. He is the vice president of the Texas Conservative Coalition, the conservative caucus in the Texas Legislature, and founding chair of the Hill Country Caucus. He is proud to represent Hays and Blanco counties and lives in Drippings Springs with his wife, Carrie, and two sons.